Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C.---The Wheeling Jesuit lacrosse team traveled to Charlotte, N.C. for a Southern Region bout against the University of Tampa at the Charlotte Christian School. The Cardinals (6-4, 2-2 ECAC) and the Spartans (6-4, 4-1 DSLC) battled until the final seconds as the Spartans held on for an 8-7 victory.
 
The Cardinals started the scoring at 8:40 when Brian Frank found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. A minute later, the Spartans answered to tie the game 1-1, however, Jesuit ended the first half with a 2-1 advantage. At 5:44, Bryce Brochu fired a shot past the Spartan goalie for the lead.
 
In the second period, Tampa equalized the game again at the 14:20 mark, but Brochu answered with his second goal of the game when Jared Baranowski found him in front of the goal. Tampa responded with three consecutive goals to take a 5-3 lead. Jesuit ended the half with a goal when Kevin Figaniak cut into the Spartan lead, 5-4.
 
After the break, the Spartans netted the only two goals of the period, and Jesuit answered in the fourth period with two goals. At 10:44, Frank recorded his second goal of the game, and Figaniak followed with his second goal which was assisted by Matt Maccario, 7-6.
 
With 7:08 remaining in the game, Tampa pushed the lead back to two goals, but Jesuit didn't back down. The Cardinals cut the lead in half when Frank found Sean Wright for a goal at 3:27, and had a chance to tie the game as time was winding down, but was unable to connect.
 
WJU goalie Jim LaPenna collected 11 saves in 60-minutes between the pipes and picked up three ground balls. Evan Hodel was 9-of-18 at the face-off X and secured a team-high six ground balls while Ed Monahan grabbed three ground balls.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action on Saturday, March 30 in Erie, Pa. against Mercyhurst College. Face-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.